West Kordofan (Sudan), Sept 19: There is a saying that the allure of gold is so powerful it could make even the dead open their mouths. History is replete with bloody conflicts fought over this yellow metal. However, the horrific tragedy that unfolded in the war-torn African nation of Sudan stands as a testament to the tears of the poor and the grim realities often hidden behind the glitter of gold.
At least 82 innocent workers were buried alive when the Al-Zhara—an unauthorized gold mine near the town of Al-Nuhud in Sudan’s West Kordofan province—suddenly collapsed. Here are the full details of this heart-wrenching incident that has shocked the world.
Chain Reaction of Tunnel Collapses:
Hundreds of workers were laboring in a narrow section of the Al-Zhara gold mine—located near Al-Nuhud town in West Kordofan, an area controlled by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—when a section of a tunnel suddenly gave way. Because the tunnels were interconnected, a chain reaction ensued, causing adjacent tunnels to collapse one after another. Moreover, due to the ongoing war, there were no government rescue teams or heavy machinery available at the site to clear the debris. Locals were forced to struggle to dig through the soil using only rudimentary tools like pickaxes and shovels.
Why are such tragedies so common in Africa?
Approximately 80% of the gold produced in Sudan comes from such unauthorized, artisanal mines. Workers there lack basic safety provisions—such as helmets, oxygen supplies, or wooden and iron supports to prevent tunnel collapses. Furthermore, the fierce conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF rebels has completely devastated agriculture and trade. To escape hunger and unemployment, millions of people are left with no choice but to risk their lives searching for gold in these mines.
Additionally, the gold extracted from these illegal mines is smuggled across borders. Local armed groups and warlords use the immense profits generated from this trade to purchase weapons. Consequently, no regulations exist regarding worker safety in these mines. In these war-torn regions, where government authority is virtually non-existent, mine owners reopen old, dangerous, and previously abandoned pits, effectively driving innocent workers into death traps.